7 Proven Drip Campaign Examples You Can Steal

Crafting emails that actually get opened—and more importantly, drive action—can feel like hitting a moving target. Marketing professionals and sales teams often struggle to create sequences that captivate leads without overwhelming their inboxes. 

Drip campaigns are your secret weapon. With the right strategy, they can nurture leads, drive conversions, and save you hours of manual follow-up. But here’s the kicker ⁠— many campaigns flop due to poor execution. 

Skip the guesswork! Here, we’ve broken down 7 high-converting drip email campaigns with key takeaways you can directly apply to your business. 

Drip Campaign Examples from Brands that Got it Right 

Looking for inspiration to design your next campaign? These examples nail timing, messaging, and strategy. 

1. First Impressions Done Right 

Who Got it Right? OnlyDomains 

OnlyDomains’ welcome email doesn't just say, "Hey, thanks for signing up!"—it steps in as a guide. Instead of leaving new users hanging, they break the next steps for website creation into three actionable tasks and serve up resources to ease the process. 

Why it works: 

• Offers clear next steps, so the user knows exactly what to do. 

• Balances helpful content with subtle social proof (Trustpilot score). 

• Puts all useful links (knowledge base, dashboard) in one place without overwhelming the reader. 

Key Takeaway: Your welcome emails should set users up for success, not just greet them. Think of them as a roadmap for solving your user’s problems. 

2. The “Forgot Something?” Email That Feels Helpful, Not Pushy 

Who Got it Right? Huckberry 

Cart abandonment emails can feel desperate. Huckberry flips this narrative. With a subject line like “LET’S DO THIS,” they exude confidence, creating a subtle sense of urgency without trying too hard. 

Why it works: 

• Highlights abandoned products with key details (size, color) for easy recall. 

• Boosts urgency with a scarcity mention, but keeps it subtle. 

• Suggests other similar products to keep the user browsing. 

Key Takeaway: Stay cool, calm, and helpful. The best cart recovery emails act like a reminder, not a hard sell. 

3. Upselling Without Being Sleazy 

Who Got it Right? AllTrails 

Most upsell emails try to scare you into upgrading by pointing out the limitations of the free version. Not AllTrails. They focus on how premium features (like 3D terrain maps or offline access) enhance the existing experience. 

Why it works: 

• Leads with user benefits, not feature overload. 

• Makes premium feel like a tool for adventurers, not an obligation. 

• Uses multiple clear CTAs that don’t feel overwhelming. 

Key Takeaway: Highlight how upgrading improves their experience instead of pointing out what they lack. 

4. Winning Back Cold Leads 

Who Got it Right? Section.io 

Section’s re-engagement email masters human psychology. Instead of nagging leads for dropping off, they paint a picture of future success—what life could look like if they rejoin the fold. 

Why it works: 

• Uses an aspirational subject line (“You in three months”). 

• Focuses on emotional benefits like confidence and excitement. 

• Backs these benefits with specific social proof (e.g., 88% application rate). 

Key Takeaway: Inspire inactive leads by focusing on aspirations, not guilt trips. 

5. Post-Purchase Educational Content 

Who Got it Right? Semrush 

Semrush educates users post-purchase, ensuring buyers know how to maximize their investment. Their email breaks down tool features into bite-sized, actionable steps. 

Why it works: 

• Provides clear, scannable info on tool benefits, not overwhelming instructions. 

• Includes action-focused language (“Discover,” “Dive”). 

• Guides users to the next level of their buyer’s journey. 

Key Takeaway: Use post-purchase emails to educate and retain customers. Show them the value they’ve gained, and they’ll keep coming back. 

6. Converting Trial Users into Paying Customers 

Who Got it Right? Strava 

Strava takes trial conversion emails seriously. With two days left in a user's trial, their email combines urgency (without being pushy) with feature discovery. 

Why it works: 

• Creates urgency naturally with a countdown (“2 more days”). 

• Highlights premium features tied to specific goals (performance, exploration). 

• Encourages exploration rather than going straight for the sale. 

Key Takeaway: Trial conversion emails should guide users to discover your product’s hidden gems, making the upgrade feel irresistible. 

7. Post-Event Emails That Keep Momentum 

Who Got it Right? Pulp & Press 

Their post-purchase email post-cleanse program doesn't just celebrate a customer's decision—it provides valuable advice to prepare them for success. 

Why it works:

• Builds community by inviting users to share their experiences online. 

• Prepares users with tips, bridging the gap between purchase and first use. 

• Requests user-generated content to create social proof. 

Key Takeaway: Post-event emails should keep the excitement alive while reinforcing the value of the user’s purchase. 

Why Most Drip Campaigns Fail 

Far too many email sequences flop for one simple reason—bad email deliverability. Even the world’s best-written campaign means nothing if it lands in spam folders. 

Spam filters can flag your content for several reasons, such as lack of email warm-up or repetitive content patterns. 

Tools like Endy Media can solve all of these issues—from optimizing mailboxes to drafting personalized email funnels that land straight in the primary inbox. 

Choose Your First Campaign Wisely 

Review your goals and determine what type of campaign makes the most sense for your audience. Need a starting point? 

• Launch a welcome series if you’re nurturing fresh leads. 

• Start a re-engagement flow for cold subscribers. 

• Use educational funnels for SaaS or complex tools. 

• Focus on cart recovery sequences for e-commerce. 

Did Your Drip Campaign Actually Work? 

Measure success. KPIs like open rates, click-throughs, and conversion rates will guide your next adjustments. But here's the surprising part⁠—sometimes campaigns need tweaks to the timing instead of the content. 

Not hitting the desired metrics? Adjust your sequence delivery cadence. Test a shorter series. Cut redundant follow-ups.

Key Takeaways 

If there’s one thing to steal from these high-performing examples, it’s this—balance. Great drip campaigns balance helpfulness with strategy, urgency with trust-building. They automate without losing personalization.

For marketing teams that hate the grind of constant follow-ups, Endy Media’s automated email funnels are a game-changer. Focus on relationships while Endy handles lead generation, follow-ups, and email optimization on autopilot. 

Every drip counts. Make yours worth opening. 

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Meta description: Looking for successful email drip campaigns? Discover 7 real examples, from cart recovery to trial conversions, and strategies you can use right away.